Front runner Paul Nuttall has begun his online campaign for the UKIP leadership, securing the public endorsement of MEPs Tim Aker, Bill Etheridge, Ray Finch, Johnathan Arnott, Jim Carver, ex MEP and legend Godfrey Bloom. UKIP council leaders Chris Wells (Thanet) and John Tennant (Hartlepool) also chip in their support. As far as Guido can tell Suzanne Evans has the public support of Patrick O’Flynn. So far Raheem has the public support of zero MEPs.

The campaigning for this mercifully short duration leadership election is, of necessity, happening online to a large degree mainly via Facebook. This morning the Facebook “Likes” for Paul Nuttall stand at 39,576, Raheem Kassam has 24,252 and Suzanne Evans is hot on his heels with 23,103. UKIP’s membership stands at approximately 39,000…